Carolina football fan energy. Alumni and fans of all ages make Franklin Street the go-to stop before and after the game. Fans enjoy our restaurants, retail stores, and family & cultural attractions, as well as Tar Heel Town on campus. Football game days bolster our downtown's economic activity and general hometown spirit - not just for visiting fans & alumni but also for local residents.

GO HEELS! The first home game of the season is this Saturday, September 3 versus James Madison University with kick off at 3:30PM. For the football schedule and ticket information visit www.tarheelblue.com.

Top Ten Ways to Promote Your Business on Game Day

1. Decorate your storefront to draw customers and football fans into your business with 'Welcome Carolina Fans' or 'Welcome JMU Fans' signs; available for FREE from Business Class, Inc: click here.

2. Offer your version of a football game day special; a special drink, menu item, Carolina blue article of clothing, etc. It doesn't have to be discounted to be a 'special'!

10. Let us know what you are doing so that we can help you promote it on our website and in weekly email blasts "What to Do & See Downtown This Week!"; email meg@downtownchapelhill.com.

Parking, Tailgating and Transportation Information

Special Event Parking Downtown

On home football game days the Town of Chapel Hill will be charging Special Event parking rates of $20 in the Wallace Parking Deck and Rosemary/Columbia Lot (Lot 2) for football game goers only. Customers and visitors that are coming downtown to eat and shop before the game will only be charged the standard hourly rates in these lots. All other Town of Chapel Hill off-street lots will remain at the hourly rates. Map of downtown parking lots.

Tar Heel Express - The Town of Chapel Hill offers fans and visitors many options for getting to the game from Park & Ride lots around town. Service begins 1 1/2 to 3 hours before the scheduled start of the game. One-way fare for Tar Heel Express service is $3; round-trip is $5.

Downtown Valet Parking - On home football game days, East Franklin Street valet parking will not be in operation, but we will still be offering the West Franklin Street valet parking (5PM to 11PM). University Square now allows public event parking for home football games for $20. Parking is restricted to designated areas; available approximately four hours before kickoff. Visit www.downtownchapelhill.com/valet.

On Campus Parking & Tailgating- The UNC Department of Public Safety regularly updates a complete list of on campus parking, transportation options, and tailgating options for the football games. The current listing can be found HERE (PDF). For updates visit www.dps.unc.edu.

The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership's mission is to bring the resources of the Town, University and downtown community together to maintain, enhance and promote downtown as the social, cultural, and spiritual center of Chapel Hill through economic development. Learn more here.